Someone to Watch over Me (Bow Street Series Book 1)

Normally I love books by this author but this one misses the mark by a mile for me. The characters’ physical descriptions seem more appropriate for an adult molesting a child rather than describing two adults. The hero is described as an I-love-you-but-I-hate-you kind of guy, that is, a person who in real life would become controlling and physically abusive. Nor are his actions to the contrary. He is controlling and possessive and won’t accept no or any constraints placed on his ability to act. The book essentially romanticizes an abusive relationship. While the abuse meted out is diverted to others, and the sexual demands override his partner’s noes to deliver orgasms, it is still abuse described as desired romance. This is not for me. And it is not helped by the virgin-whore dichotomy throughout. Disgusting.

I read way too much, sadly to the point it is impacting my life. I am getting too little sleep and after many months of feeling neglected my husband is starting to voice complaints at the lack of attention. Therefore to keep my 27 plus years of marriage a good one I am trying to reduce the amount that I read. Therefore in effort to slow down the amount that I am reading, I am only allowing myself to read paperback books as opposed to the electronic versions during the work week. Even though I prefer contemporary romances I find that there are more paperback historical romance books that fit my personal criteria that then any other type. Why am I tell you all of this? Really it is to give a disclaimer. My knowledge about history is lacking and therefore when I review historical romance books I am not going to comment on how historically accurate the book is. I just will not nor would someone want me too.For the most part I enjoyed reading this story that is a mix of romance, drama and mystery. While he sometimes acts like a jerk I liked that the Grant is a jealous and possessive alpha hero who falls hard and fast for the heroine. While I occasionally found the heroine annoying I didn't dislike her. While they come later in the story there are hot sexy times. This is a forced seduction story and so if that bothers you then I suggest skipping this story. It was not a mystery to me as to why the heroine had a personality transplant and probably is not to the majority of the readers either. The whodunit is not known but much later in the book when the readers are given enough information

NOT her best work. "hero" is an unlikeable ~alpha~ who, while supposedly an accomplished detective, reacts emotionally to any and all situations instead of analyzing. he sulks and broods his way through the book before he is suddenly overwhelmed by his love for the heroine. the heroine, meanwhile, is so overwhelmed by the amnesia and attempts on her life she has barely any opportunity to demonstrate a personality. I do think she had one, but the book just didn't have the scope necessary. We learn the most about her personality -- fears, hopes, capabilities under stress -- in the very last quarter.Also, this seems to be very haphazardly edited. There are multiple instances of the word "premise" being used instead of "chemise" in a single scene. A copy editor should have caught that.

This is the second Lisa Kleypas novel I've read, the second that left me feeling unfriendly toward the author. The warning to the reader I've give is that if you like sexually dominant men whose attitudes and behavior verges on abusive, you'll love the male protagonist, Grant Morgan. Likewise, if you like your female protagonists timid, clueless, and virtuous, you'll love Victoria DeVane. If you like judgements about women in general, this is your book. Apart from those flaws, the author took few pains to convey the historical environment of the book. The Bow Street Runners were in force from the middle of the 1700s to the middle of the 1800s. A hundred years of fashion and social behaviors. Yet from beginning to end Lisa Kleypas is so vague about, for example, what the FMC is wearing, that she could be garbed in any style from Renaissance to Victorian. Not that the author does not go on at length about color and form, but what she describes are ridiculous confections that mirror the fantasy covers of romance novels from the 1980s, with zero attention to period garmenture (one of the richest aspects of historical fiction.) I did try to give the author some slack based on the fact that this particular book was published in the late 90s. I can't do that, however, because I have read Kleypas' most recent book and found its portrayal of a callous, sexist, dominant male just as irritating as Someone to Watch Over Me. I gave you two tries, Lisa Kleypas. That's one too many.

Another cracking historical romance from Lisa Kleypas this features big, bold, brave and rough hewn hero Grant Morgan, a famous Bow Street Runner who rescues notorious courtesan Vivien Duvall from the River Thames one night ... But Vivien can't remember who ships is and she seems remarkably innocent and sweet for a prostitute and Grant's decision to get his revenge on the woman who once slighted him begins to go awry... It's not hard to guess the big twist in this story, but it's so beautifully told and Grant and Vivien such engaging characters that you won't mind a bit.

Didn't enjoy this as much as other Kleypas books. Found Grant Morgan overbearing and ridiculous as a character - he is so insecure that he can't bear to give the woman he loves any space of her own (e.g., to bathe herself, to consider his marriage proposal,to gather her thoughts in difficult circumstances). After the "big reveal" of the plot, the story became very tedious and long winded. I wouldn't recommend this book at all.

The writing was good enough, but I struggle with the concept that courtesan = woman without worth/soiled goods, and thus the whole reveal of her being a virgin = priceless treasure didn't sit right with me at all. Don't care for "it was the view at the time" - romances aren't generally known for their hyper accuracy. Also for some reason the male hero's "I'm so aroused by you I have to stay away or I'll hurt you" grated too. So I found myself losing interest towards the middle, then stalled out around 80% and avoided reading so as not to have to get back to it, meaning I've now put it in my DNF pile.

"Someone to Watch over Me" is a wonderful historical romance set in Regency London.Ms Kleypas takes us into the life of Sir Grant Morgan who is the most successful Bow Street runner of his time.He is handsome and intelligent, well-liked by the ladies of society and rich thanks to his talents in this profession.One cold night Grant is called out to examine a woman's body who drowned in the Thames. He recognises her as Vivienne Duval London's most expensive and most beautiful courtesan. She is not dead but the marks around her neck show that someone intended to kill her. Grant takes her to his home and decides to find Vivienne's attacker. He has his own reasons for keeping her by his side where he can watch over her and take his revenge at the same time.The young woman awokes with amnesia. She doesn't remember anything from her previous life but she doesn't want to accept the fact that she is a famous courtesan. Grant doesn't believe her but he is very strongly attracted to her beauty, her innocence and intelligence.He desperately wants to solve the mystery and he desperately wants to make love to her. Vivienne is very confused. She doesn't remember anything from her past and the only clear thing in her mind is Grant. She trusts him and she turns to him in her despair to get back her memory. Their attraction grows and they can't resist each other.Grant has never been in love and he doesn't want to fall for this scheming scandalous courtesan but her innocent love proves stronger.The story is packed with action. The author describes the way the runners work and we get glimpses into the life of Regency Society.Ms. Kleypas writes about the decadent affairs of gentlemen with the members of the demimonde under false pretenses.Until these affairs were kept discreet they were allowed and accepted especially if the gentlemen was a peer of the realm and rich.The love of these two wonderfully developed characters is introduced by lots of talent and feeling by the author.SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME shows us why is Lisa Kleypas so successful with her novels among historical romance readers. The historical era is well researched and the characters well developed. The reader understands them and feels with them while reading the book. I have enjoyed most of Ms Kleypas' novels and I recommend them to all fans of this entertaining sub-genre.

This is an enjoyable light read, one I have read before. The main characters are likeable and their connection clear. The plot is good although I did guess early on who the villain is. This book never ensnares my attention as potently as LK's other books do, but it is overall a nice light, light read, the books that proceed this in the series are stronger.I know I'll re-read this but not as frequently as Kleypas' other books.Purchased on sale for 99p.